Barbie crosses $1 bn at global BO, a first for a woman-directed film

Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig, has officially crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office, in its third week after release, making Gerwig the 29th director, and the first solo female director, to join the billion-dollar club.

The Warner Bros. movie has become only the second picture to hit the billion-dollar mark this year. 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' from Comcast Corp.'s Universal Pictures, is this year’s highest-grossing film, so far, accomplishing the feat in April after four weeks.

Barbie based on the world’s most famous doll, features Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, as Barbie and Ken respectively.

Warner Bros. said on Sunday the movie raked in $53 million in the US and Canada in its third week, as well as an additional $74 million internationally.

The movie has now made $459.4 million domestically and $1.03 billion on a worldwide basis.

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The fantasy-comedy has minted $459 million from domestic theatres (the United States and Canada) and $572.1 million overseas, with the total going up to $1.0315 billion, according to Warner Bros. Pictures.

The film drew $127 million worldwide this weekend (Friday through Sunday), with $53 million in domestic receipts and another $74 million overseas, according to Comscore data.

Barbie is delivering a much-needed boost to the studio's parent, Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., along with theatre chains including AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. and Cinemark Holdings Inc..

The picture was produced in partnership with Mattel Inc., the toymaker that makes and sells Barbie dolls.

Mattel Chief Executive Officer Ynon Kreiz, who's seeking a larger role in entertainment for his El Segundo, California-based company, said in a July 27 interview with Bloomberg TV, that it's too early to confirm a sequel.

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The company is looking to "create film franchises that have cultural resonance," he said. "The opportunity for Barbie is pretty obvious given the success of the Barbie movie."

Barbie opened on July 21, the same weekend as Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, creating a social media frenzy around the "Barbenheimer" meme.

"This shows that compelling stories that are well-executed and creatively marketed can capture the zeitgeist and get people excited," Gabelli Funds' analysts Hanna Howard and Paul Fanelli said an emailed statement.

The Barbie soundtrack, featuring songs by artists such as Lizzo and Dua Lipa, is also doing well for Warner Music Group, they said.

The film also features Simu Liu, America Ferrera, Will Ferrell and so many more. The film follows Barbie and Ken on a journey of self-discovery following an existential crisis.

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